DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

~ Iain Kelly

The piglet squealed in the sack as Harald threw it to the ground. It landed on the unmarked grave of his former rival.

The familiar rustle approached. The huge snake slithered across the ground towards him.

‘This is the last I have,’ Harald said, pointing to the piglet.

The snake reared up and looked Harald directly in the eyes. ‘Then you sshall have to find more from ssomewhere else to honour our bargain,’ he hissed.

‘Must I forever be in your debt?’

‘You knew the conssequencess when we struck our deal.’

‘What if I cannot find anything to sacrifice to you?’

‘Then I will vissit your family and take what I wissh.’

The snake took the sack in it’s jaw and dragged it away.

Harald trudged back through the forest. He came to the clearing and looked at his farmhouse. The children were in bed. The fire in the downstairs room silhouetted Karina in the window.

Happiness came with a heavy price, murder with a heavy burden. This was the price he paid to be with the woman he loved.

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Copyright Kecia Sparlin

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Published by Iain Kelly

39 year old writer, avid film viewer and book reader, employed in the media industry as a television editor.

49 thoughts on “DEAL WITH THE DEVIL”

  9. I absolutely love your take on the prompt! You’ve left just the right amount of mystery in the story, without leaving it inconclusive; that’s not an easy thing to do in so few words. I loved it, thanks for sharing 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Great morality tale, showing how he’s trapped in the consequences of his evil misdeeds, and risks losing what he most values because of it. And his poor wife, caught up in it unawares! She deserved better, and those poor little piglets too.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. What will Harald find next? Do we assume he murdered his rival for his wife’s hand? Indeed, that is a burden to carry without a troublesome snake to remind you. Well told.

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. Intense story. A very high price indeed. But to protect those he loved, what choice does he have. Perhaps he could kill this snake. Then again, this snake reminds of lord Voldermort on snake form a cross between him and the devil in Eden as a snake. Both frightening adversaries to have!

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. Pingback: The Weekly Headlines – My Daily Musing

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